Though I didn’t get to see everything the festival offered, I missed all of Krzysztof Malek’s performances, what I did experience was wonderful and enjoyable. After a brisk walk from Charlotte’s Pass to Mount Kosciuszko, I arrived at the summit in time to take a few snaps of the runners crossing the finish line. Scott McTaggart took only forty five minutes and thirty three seconds to win the inaugural Kosciuszko Run. It was an amazing time for the eleven kilometre ascent, because stiff headwinds on occasions on a few of the steeper sections almost brought him to a complete standstill. He finished six minutes and four seconds in front of John Winsbury, with Stuart Doyle taking the bronze, finishing only thirty nine seconds later. Hannah Flannery was fifth overall but she was the first female to finish, completing the course in the exceptional time of fifty six minutes and fifty eight seconds.

A wonderful moment occurred when long time rivals and friends, Robert Korzeniowski of Poland and Nathan Deakes of Australia, finished equal in sixth place. Korzeniowski won gold in the 50km walk in the Atlanta, Sydney and Athens Olympics and gold in the 20km walk in Sydney, the first athlete to ever win gold in both the long and short distance walks. He is also the winner of three World Championships and the patron for the inaugural Kosciuszko Run. Nathan Deakes won bronze in the 20km walk in the Athens Olympics and gold in the 50km walk at the 2007 Osaka World Championships.

For the next few hours a great time was had, all enjoying each others company. Some took the opportunity to have their picture taken with Olympians Robert Korzeniowski, Nathan Deakes or with the winner, Scott McTaggart. Pictures were taken of the medalists holding the Australian, Aboriginal and Polish flags, especially since they were helped in this task by such beautiful girls. Even dignitaries like Daniel Gromann, the Polish Consul General, and Dr Lidia Filus, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation, were in demand as photo companions. The sensational Snowy views provided a great background. It was interesting listening to the interviews conducted by TV Polonia, or Oscar Kantor, or Andrzej Kozek for Puls Polonii . Those in good voice and others who thought they had a good voice, engaged in singalongs and it all helped to create a wonderful mood, an atmosphere I would like to bottle to enjoy again later at will.

The young athletes are such fine role models for the youth of Australia. Their accomplishments, their clean cut lifestyles and the way they carried themselves and spoke in the interviews are admirable. Scott McTaggart, good humouredly recreated the finish on a couple of occasions to help out the camera crews who had been delayed by the windy conditions and missed filming what proved to be a much quicker finish than anyone thought possible.

Teething problems such as these are to be expected in any inaugural event, they can be learned from when future ‘runs’ are planned. However, these problems pale into insignificance when compared to the many positive outcomes that were experienced by all who had made it to the summit to enjoy this event. A luncheon and awarding of medals and prizes took place at Pygmy Possum Lodge, Charlotte’s Pass village by the Polish Consul General, Daniel Gromann.

Oscar Kantor interviewing Scott

The 3 winners with Polish friends

Back in Jindabyne, on the morning of the 20th of March, 2010, Oscar Kantor’s photo exhibition, In Mud and Blizzard: Winter Expedition Along the Strzelecki Track, was on display at the NPWS Visitors Centre. Soon after, thanks to the proprietors of Jindabyne Cinema who kindly donated their theatre facilities, there was a free screening of the premiere of Mt Kosciuszko: The Frozen Years, as well as Jerzy Drewniak’s and Andrew Chodkiewicz’s Australian Bicentennial Documentary, Strzelecki’s Return. This documentary had been previously shown on SBS in 1989. It describes the history of getting the Paul Edmund Strzelecki Monument erected on the shore of Lake Jindabyne. I am proud of the unattributed role my brother, John Molski, played in this history.

Adyna (on a painting) searching for her Paul Edmund

Ngarigo Dancer

Polish mountain scarves - a gift to Aboriginal elders

Kantor’s film portrayed the awesome adventure he and his compatriots, Stefan Lewandowski and Mario Szlapak, experienced in trekking to the Kosciuszko summit from the northern approach, following the same path Paul Edmund Strzelecki took in coming through Geehi Valley crossing the Swampy Plain River to Moira’s Flat over Hannel’s Spur, then on to Mt Townsend and the Kosciuszko summit. Kantor and his crew were warned of the extreme danger of ‘white outs’ created by winter blizzards that could cause climbers to lose their bearings and suffer injury or death from falls down some of the treacherous slopes, but they eventually gained permission from NPWS to make the trek at their own risk.

The participants not only showed grit and determination but great wilderness skills in overcoming the extreme cold of the blizzards, the poor visibility and the nature of the environment they were in. Furthermore, they completed the trek with an infectious sense of humour that went over well with the viewers of the premiere.

An illuminating comparison was made between three expeditions. Strzelecki’s original ascent 170 years ago in 1840, Oscar’s 2009 winter climb and his previous trek with two Americans, Martin Douthitt and Dale Torok, who had decided to follow ‘in the footsteps of Strzelecki’, in February 2009. For the amount of time it took Strzelecki to make the summit, in his circumstances from this direction all those years ago, was a great accomplishment and testified to his toughness, fitness and his bush skills.

Being an ex ‘chalkie’ I was curious to discover what opinions the Barker College students had about the films they had just watched. To my question:‘Did you enjoy the docudrama?’ They unanimously answered:‘YES’.

They did this with such enthusiasm that it spoke the thousand words of the proverbial picture! A few students commented about how emotional they felt in the dramatic scenes between Strzelecki and Adyna. I am sure Beata Wald, who was playing the role of Adyna, would be pleased to hear that they had such a high opinion of her voice. Her rendition of Jeni Wallwork’s song, Knight in Shining Armour, triggered their emotions of sadness and sympathy. The students said they enjoyed both films and they found them to be entertaining, informative and educational.

Hearing the comments of other viewers I knew they were not alone in having their heartstrings pulled by the ‘Frozen Years’ and I reckon more than one person in the theatre sobbed through some of the scenes. The film is a credit to producer, Oscar Kantor. He has proven to be quite an adventurer. Interestingly, on the previous day he was in a rush to get to Charlotte’s Pass so he completed the descent from the summit on a bike, taking just ten minutes to cycle down whilst lugging his expensive video camera. He remarked that on the way he experienced a few ‘hairy’ moments. Indeed! Nine kilometres in ten minutes equates to an average speed of 54 kph which means that in some parts he would have been traveling at well over 60, and there are quite a few treacherous slopes on this descent. Maybe filming some wingsuit flying, base jumping or proximity flying could be his next thrill seeking challenge!

Barker College Symphonic Orchestra playing "Kosciuszko"

In the afternoon, all who came to Jindabyne’s Memorial Hall enjoyed a free tasting of Kosciusko Wines, as well as a sampling of some Polish cuisine cooked by Wieslaw Pazdzior of Polonez Smallgoods, a sponsor of the Festival. A full program of speeches, dances, songs and orchestral performances followed.

Prior to commencement, the ambience consisted of wafting fragrances of food mixed with the chatter of conversations and the sounds of instruments being put through their paces by the fresh faces of the Barker College Orchestra. Photographers were busy capturing the spectacle of the cooking, the quaffing of wine, the camaraderie and good humour at the dining tables. The preparations of the dancers and the long queues of enthusiastic buyers of Kosciusko wines formed the remainder of the scene. Snap! I am happy to have taken a picture of the Barker students lining up for ‘bigos’, the national dish of Poland!

An air of expectation ensues as Master of Ceremonies, Darek Paczynski, welcomes all the local and overseas distinguished guests to the Gala Concert, including Ngarigo elders Auntie Deanna and Auntie Rae, Andrzej Jaroszynski, Mike Kelly, John Shumack, Dave Darlington and Dr Lidia Filus from the USA.

Brendan Collins, the composer, conducting orchestra himself

Queing up for Polish bigos

The air soon reverberates with resounding notes that arouse the emotions of the audience. The composer’s themes stimulate so many memories. Images of the homeland. Familiar tunes. Mum and Dad, perhaps even schoolteachers relating the life of Tadeusz Kosciuszko. The heroism! The tragic struggle for liberty and independence. Triumph at last, but sadly not in Poland, but triumph in America, for humanity nevertheless. ‘For Your Freedom and Ours’!

Yes, the pilgrimage to the Kosciuszko summit makes sense. It’s worthwhile to share with fellow Australians and the rest of the world such a compelling story about human values. Young people, and for that matter, people of any age are today in need of such stories more than ever.

The joy and appreciation expressed by the audience’s rousing applause for the performance of ‘Kosciuszko’, for its composer, Brendan Collins, and for the enthusiasm, talent and skill displayed by such fine examples of Australian youth evident in the Barker College Orchestra. It reflects well on the parents and the school. When the applause eventually died down, the audience was entertained by a wonderful rendition of ‘Chicago’ in the Orchestra’s finale.

Suddenly, a change of pace and era. Clicking clapsticks, earthy didgeridoo echoes and guttural singing generate a story telling beat and rhythms of the Paul McLeod inspired Ngarigo dancers, decorated in body paint that provide context and identity. Chanting, jumping and gesticulating they depict activities, traditions and life of the ancient aboriginal custodians of the region. As a contrast, we are startled by the colourful costumes, vivacity and joy of ‘Lajkonik’, superbly choreographed by Ursula Lang, performing dances to the traditional rustic tunes of a far away land. The audience, transfixed by the former and vicariously reliving the ‘olden days’ inspired by the latter, respond to both with unhesitating applause. This is an interesting blend in the ‘melting pot’ we call Australia.

Lajkonik dancer jumping over his hat

And now?

Whose eyes are not welling with emotion after experiencing the harmonious moments of empathy between Auntie Rae and Beata Wald? Her voice of purity and power filling the hall and moving us deeply, creating feeling and meaning for Jeni Wallwork’s wonderful lyrics of Dreamtime Dance.

For me, these were the highlights of a program packed full of entertainment including the performances of Andrzej Komorowski, Asia Lunarzewski, Jolanta Komincz-Howe, Paulina Pazdzior and John Hospodaryk.

Beata Wald

The next morning, we make a quick trip to Cooma’s Centennial Park to join the celebration of Harmony Day. The repertoire of the Gala Concert is repeated but enhanced by the addition of singers and dancers of other cultures, each pulsating in their own way, making up a harmonious community in the land down under the constellation of the ‘Southern Cross’, a land we call Australia. Contributing to the ambience of Centennial Park are the stall holders showcasing their wares, the busy sounds of trading, and the buzz of conversations amongst strangers whilst enjoying the festivities in friendly Cooma.

I had to get home Sunday evening so, regrettably, I missed Krzystof Malek’s Monday evening recital celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Chopin. However, with all the recent experiences freshly in mind, my trip home to Sydney seemed much shorter as the boredom of driving such a long distance was overpowered by thoughts of K’Ozzie Fest 2010 and the first Kosciuszko Run. My thanks to the organisers of both.

Felix Molski

Beata Wald - closer to the audience

Lajkonik performing in Cooma